Armored-car heist gets felon 30 years

A Philadelphia man who held up an armored-car guard in 2009 and then shot a police during a gun battle was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison.

Brian Williams, 53, and another man, Anthony Reid, 45, robbed the guard as he delivered cash to ATMs at a West Philadelphia gas station.

U.S. Attorney Zane David Memeger said Williams and Reid took the guard's gun and a bag of currency during the Sept. 4 robbery at 52nd and Spruce Streets.

As the men fled, Williams fired shots at pursuing police, Memeger said. After a lengthy chase through West and Southwest Philadelphia, Reid lost control of the car and crashed into a parked car at the 63rd Street and Grays Avenue.

When Reid tried to get out of the car, he pointed a loaded gun at officers who shot and injured Reid. Investigators estimated that nearly 60 rounds were fired. Officer Adrian Hospedale, 45, was struck by a bullet in the mouth during the gun battle that involved four other officers.

Williams already had a violent criminal record dating to the 1970s, when he was convicted of rape, and numerous offenses before the armored-car job.

In February, Williams pleaded guilty to multiple robbery and firearms counts. Reid, who was convicted on similar charges, faces a maximum of life and a mandatory minimum of 25 years when he is sentenced July 18.

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